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RADAR, EO/IR, C-UAS, NIGHT VISION AND SURVEILLANCE UPDATE

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Sponsored by Echodyne

 

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15 Dec 23. Red Cat Holdings Selected by US Army as Finalist for Short Range Reconnaissance Tranche 2 Drone Program.

  • Defense Innovation Unit and U.S. Army to provide $3 million in additional funding to support final program milestones

Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT) (“Red Cat” or the “Company”), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, announces that its subsidiary Teal Drones (Teal) has been selected by the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the U.S. Army as one of two finalists competing in the Short Range Reconnaissance Tranche 2 (SRR T2) Program of Record. As part of being named a finalist, Teal will be awarded $3 million of additional funding to support final prototype development and completion of remaining SRR milestones.

Teal was previously one of three drone manufacturers selected to develop a next-generation small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) for the U.S. Army.   The ultimate goal of the SRR program is to provide small, rucksack portable sUAS capabilities to Army platoons (20-50 soldiers) for situational awareness beyond the next terrain feature.

“I’m excited to advance our collaboration with the U.S. Army as we seek to provide the ideal solution for SRR. We are grateful to have been selected as one of the two finalists in a program that began with more than 37 bidding vendors,” commented George Matus, founder of Teal and Red Cat’s Chief Technology Officer. “We’re developing our next generation product from the ground up to meet the highly specific requirements of SRR, with the mission of providing warfighters superhuman capabilities.”

Teal 2, the Company’s current flagship product, is built in Teal’s factory in Salt Lake City. It is an affordable, man-portable sUAS designed to “Dominate the Night™.” Teal 2 has a best-in-class night vision camera, fully modular design, multi-vehicle control, and artificial intelligence capabilities. The drone is designed to support U.S. military operations, public safety organizations, and U.S. government agencies in a variety of environments. It is both Blue UAS Certified, which indicates its approval by the Department of Defense, and FAA Remote ID approved.

(Source: ASD Network)

 

15 Dec 23. Cuashub.com said today that Passive bistatic radar: Target detection and interference.

Target Detection and DOA Estimation for Passive Bistatic Radar in the Presence of Residual Interference is an article by Haitao Wang, Jun Wang, Junzheng Jiang, Kefei Liao, and Ningbo Xie.

The advancement in radio technology poses challenges for passive bistatic radar (PBR), as interference from both the base station illuminator of opportunity (BS-IoO) and co-frequency/adjacent frequency base stations (BS-CF/AF) can be problematic. Conventional clutter cancellation struggles to fully eliminate these interferences, particularly those from BS-CF/AF, adversely impacting target detection and direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation.

A novel method is proposed to address this issue, employing compressed sensing sparse reconstruction. The approach involves initial clutter cancellation to suppress BS-IoO interferences, followed by spatial separation of residual interferences and target echoes through azimuth sparse reconstruction. The method offers improved anti-mainlobe interference and high-resolution DOA estimation, demonstrating effectiveness through numerical simulations and experimental results.

Publication Date– February 2022

Target Detection and DOA Estimation for Passive Bistatic Radar in the Presence of Residual Interference contains the following major sections:

  • Introduction
  • Signal Model
  • Algorithm Description
  • Simulation Analysis
  • Field Experiment Results
  • Conclusions

All articles published by MDPI are immediately available worldwide under an open-access license. No special permission is required to reuse all or part of the article published by MDPI, including figures and tables. Any part of the article may be reused without the consent for articles published under an open-access Creative Common CC BY license, provided the original article is clearly cited. For more information, please refer to https://www.mdpi.com/openaccess.

C-UAS Hub does not own this content and provides a link for users at the bottom of the page to access it in its original location. This allows the author(s) to track important article metrics related to their work. All credit goes to its rightful owner.

Authors- Haitao Wang, Jun Wang, Junzheng Jiang, Kefei Liao, and Ningbo Xie

Passive bistatic radar: Target detection and interference

(Source: https://cuashub.com/)

 

15 Dec 23.  Cuashub.com said today that Bluetooth Low Energy Exploitation on a Wireless Attack Platform.

Long Distance Bluetooth Low Energy Exploitation on a Wireless Attack Platform is an Air Force Institute of Technology thesis by Stephanie L. Long.

Over the past decade, embedded technology, specifically the Internet of Things (IoT), has experienced significant growth, finding applications in various fields. The expansion of smart home infrastructure has been particularly noteworthy, encompassing networked appliances such as refrigerators, lighting systems, speakers, watches, and more. This proliferation of wireless protocols has created an expanded attack surface for cyber actors, making IoT traffic vulnerable to interception by potential attackers.

The attack platform, skypie, has undergone upgrades to integrate Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon collection capabilities, allowing for the extraction of pattern-of-life data and enumeration of device characteristics. By mounting the skypie onto a chosen medium, such as a drone, the attacker can remotely control the prototype to collect BLE beacons within proximity. The assessment reveals that the attacker can collect BLE beacons from a distance of over a quarter of a mile at an elevation of 3.05 meters. Additionally, the attacker can interact with the device for characteristic enumeration up to 350 meters at the same elevation. Furthermore, BLE beacons can be collected from just under a quarter of a mile away at an elevation of 1 meter, with interaction possible up to 200 meters. These findings highlight the potential risks associated with the increasing reach and capabilities of IoT-related wireless technologies.

Publication Date– March 2021

Long Distance Bluetooth Low Energy Exploitation on a Wireless Attack Platform contains the following major sections:

  • Introduction
  • Background and Literature Review
  • Prototype Design
  • Methodology
  • Results and Analysis
  • Conclusions

Author- Stephanie L. Long

https://cuashub.com/content/bluetooth-low-energy-exploitation-on-a-wireless-attack-platform/?_hsmi=286658751&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8OaprfnI2MYB-761wfHzXNfED5PAqdBqPoxZiPo0xXP1iepxJDShlLG-t7gh-UJ1uz5uaToWQ1gcOeghigzlBF76fOg-sNXW695472neDaZdtUmQ0#utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_content=286658751&utm_source=hs_ema (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

 

14 Dec 23. MatrixSpace announces the authorization of MatrixSpace Radar by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). MatrixSpace Radar has been thoroughly tested to perform within the FCC’s emissions and frequencies specifications and can now be sold to commercial and public organizations in the United States.  MatrixSpace offers radio navigation services both in the air and on the ground. With its very low SWaP-C (size, weight, power and cost), MatrixSpace Radar provides robust situational awareness of both airborne and ground-based objects, regardless of lighting and weather conditions. This in turn facilitates the long awaited Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight for uncrewed and autonomous aircraft, as well as enhancing safety for general aviation.

Quote from Dan Nobbe, Vice President of RF and Radar Systems, MatrixSpace  “With the dramatic rise in autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles in the air and on the ground, the application for our advanced radar solution is significant across a wide range of commercial, defense and public safety situations. FCC authorization is an important milestone and now allows us to fully engage with the market and those seeking advanced capabilities to digitize the outdoors. This is a rigorous process and we are delighted to now be authorized.”

Quote from Jack We, co-founder and CEO, Nightingale Security  “MatrixSpace Radar aligns perfectly with Nightingale Security’s focus on DFR, physical security, and rapid all-weather response. The DAA sensor enhances night and adverse weather safety, crucial for our on-call emergency readiness.”

Quote from Greg Waters, founder and CEO, MatrixSpace  “The authorization by the FCC to commence shipments of our novel radar sensors is a great accomplishment by the MatrixSpace team and welcome news for our many customers that have been waiting for this. It gives me great pride that the team has gone from a standing start only two years ago to release of this unique product in such a short period of time. We’re pleased and proud to enter into production with more to come in 2024.”

MatrixSpace’s mission is to offer real-time AI and edge processing-based sensing with the ability to detect and track multiple types of objects in any environment. Combining industry-leading sensing, AI edge processing and RF communication in real-time is a major technology breakthrough that will reinvent business models across multiple vertical market applications, in particular the defense and public safety industry. MatrixSpace Radar is the foundational product of this open architecture sensing platform.

MatrixSpace Radar has the lowest cost, size, weight and power (SWAP) of any comparable radar on the market today. Key features are:

  • Portable – Small form factor (5.6” x 3.4” x 1.5”) allows you to place units in any location and simply carry to new locations as needed. Easily attach to autonomous vehicles, or fixed locations like water towers, buildings, dams, poles for a full 360-degree view of any area.
  • Detect and monitor relevant movement in any environment – humans, airborne objects, ground vehicles – even in visually challenging conditions, including rain, fog and smoke.
  • Fast to deploy – Install and configure the device in minutes. No specialized training required.
  • Ultra-low power supply – The radar’s low energy consumption means it can be powered by solar or battery for remote, long-term usage. No standard electricity connection is needed.
  • Open and extensible – MatrixSpace Radar is based on an open architecture which easily integrates with industry-wise UTM, Command and Control, counter UAS and traffic and video surveillance systems for a comprehensive, unified view.
  • 4D imaging radar – MatrixSpace Radar is the most advanced radar technology designed to both detect objects and visualize them while capturing key aspects of telemetry, such as range, location, heading and altitude, etc.

 

14 Dec 23. Broadcasters Explore New IP Video Workflows to Reduce OPEX and Compete with Disruptive Video Service Providers. The broadcast sector is engaged in tough competition to remain engaged with consumers as new entrants in the market challenge traditional their once-dominant position. The rapid evolution of video content capture and delivery technologies is consequently prompting broadcasters to improve their competitive position in an increasingly complex market, according to Bruno Teissier Senior Vice President of sales, VITEC, a leading provider of IPTV and video streaming solutions for the broadcast sector, in an interview for journalists.

“Internet protocol (IP) video will play a critical role in optimizing workflows to keep OPEX down. Beyond cost efficiencies, new workflows will also lead broadcasters to develop new offerings that better position them to compete with new media providers,” says Teissier.

A Market in Transition

Demand for live and on-demand video content feeds has increased significantly with new video capture and broadcast technologies. These new technologies have opened the door to new players — especially streaming service providers — striving to meet consumer demand for video offerings. This is challenging broadcasters to deliver new enhanced services while holding the line on operational costs.

“As broadcast production teams across the industry act to meet the evolving demands of the different markets they serve, meeting these challenges will not be easy. Each geography comes with its own needs, objectives and limitations when managing everything from network latency and content quality to optimizing financial performance,” explains Teissier.

Leaders in the sector must consequently focus on moving forward with existing and new value propositions while reducing OPEX and maintaining sustainability — now an important priority for a growing number of broadcasters. All providers must figure out how to work within the parameters of constrained networks.

Meanwhile, a tremendous amount of content is being produced by nearly every broadcast category. Companies like ESPN, Bally Sports and TV2 Norway are covering more international, national and local sports events than ever to meet both the mass market and niche demands of their audiences.

“Executives at these companies increasingly realize that if broadcasters fail to address these demands, other players will. New robust competition is emerging from other video-centric platforms — like Instagram and TikTok — offering consumers more sources of video distribution and formats than ever before,” he says.

Broadcasters, he adds, must respond by reviewing current operations, addressing emerging demand and investing in new processes and technologies that allow them to cost-effectively compete in this environment.

“Almost every aspect of broadcast operations has become more complicated. More equipment and technology are needed to capture, process and distribute content. Audiences have also become more fragmented, creating demands for new formats — including long-form and short-form content — that can be displayed on TVs, mobile phones, computer screens and tablets. Today, game consoles and social platforms are important engagement vectors for those targeting younger audiences,” says Teissier. Rising complexity typically comes with elevated costs. Few broadcasters can afford to absorb more expenses. This means leaders in the industry need technologies that can manage complexity while meeting the diverse needs of their markets without a commensurate increase in employee headcount or operational expenditures.

“That is why adoption of new intelligent, automated, energy-efficient and sustainable technologies will be critical for the broadcasting industry. As broadcasters modernize and refresh their technology investments, they must not only focus on optimizing operating costs but also on improving technical performance by reducing latency across the delivery pipeline,” he says.

Intelligent IP-based Solutions Define Future of Broadcasters

Solutions that deliver video over internet protocols while taking into account the requirements of the broadcast domain — including video format, codec standards, and streaming protocols — will play an important role in ensuring quality, operational performance and economic efficiency.

“VITEC has developed tools and solutions that can be used by reporters in the field to send their news feeds to the mixing and editing facilities at studios in an efficient manner. We are streamlining costs through automation and integration while creating the flexibility for broadcast operations managers to tailor specific services for specific audiences. The foundation is thus established for harvesting long-tail opportunities in a profitable manner,” says Teissier.

The company has fielded teams to establish innovative connections between artificial intelligence (AI) and interesting IP video applications that address the growing automation and integration requirements of the industry.

“We are embedding intelligence into our broadcast products to provide production teams with intuitive tools for creating compelling features without the need for additional human resources and redundant technical investments. For example, with unmanaged networks like the public internet, broadcast managers can adapt bit rate on the fly features in VITEC products to enable the best video quality regardless of the bandwidth available,” he says.

VITEC’s mission for the past 35 years has been to harness next-generation technologies that are robust, intelligent, and interoperable with other critical elements of broadcast operations.

“As we move forward, VITEC is committed to enabling higher levels of agility, while introducing opportunities to enhance sustainability practices across the industry,” concludes Teissier.

 

12 Dec 23. Pearson Engineering has extended its range of equipment to defeat the threat of explosive ordnance to life and operations. Pearson Engineering has developed its existing ground laid ordnance detection technology, Threat-Sense, to support the identification of threats to mobility with the use of drones. Using artificial intelligence and robust synthetic threat libraries, Threat-Sense can detect anti-tank and anti-personnel mines and indicate to operators in varying environmental conditions where threats are present. Threat-Sense, which has seen demonstrable success in end-user trials, was initially designed to provide increased situational awareness to vehicle commanders and has been proven when integrated with platforms ranging from Foxhound and HX60 to the Patria AMV and TRX 2 robotic combat vehicle. Building on user feedback through detailed collaboration with international science and technology organisations, Threat-Sense was evolved by Pearson Engineering’s Unmanned Solutions team for integration with a drone to assist enhanced reconnaissance and stand-off from the vehicle. The integration, now proven with NATO allies at the Suffield Research Centre in Canada, compliments Pearson Engineering’s highly flexible approach to supporting freedom of manoeuvre and mobility at pace and adds to a suite of ordnance defeating technologies already in Pearson Engineering’s product range. Using a commercially available off-the-shelf drone, operators can control Threat-Sense up to 5km away, substantially reducing the risk to life and providing an additional method of surface laid threat identification. Threat-Sense is compatible with any drone which is capable of providing a sufficient video feed and the processing unit can be mounted on the drone with on-edge processing, or it can draw from the drone’s video feed for ground-based processing according to requirements. Threat-Sense logs all of the detected threats with unique identifiers, GPS markers and timestamps and it has the ability to network information over Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) or Data Distribution Service (DDS) in real-time.

Pearson Engineering’s Senior Engineer for Unmanned Solutions explains “Through research, observation and collaboration with the commanders of armoured vehicles, we began to understand the huge volume of information that they receive and must be aware of. Threat detection is one such task with fatal consequences if sufficient intelligence is not available. Threat-Sense is designed to support Commanders, providing them with real time, artificial intelligence enhanced threat information through a simple and intuitive user interface.”

Pearson Engineering’s range of ordnance defeating products includes the internationally deployed Route Opening Mine Plough, Self-Protection Mine Plough, Route Proving Roller, Self-Protection Roller and Surface Clearance Device.

Threat-Pathway, a newer development designed to provide rapidly deployable scatterable mine clearance capability to combat vehicles and combat support vehicles has also taken part in a number of end-user demonstrations and trials.

 

13 Dec 23. Second successful live-fire for RTX’s Raytheon Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor. Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, completed another successful live-fire demonstration of the advanced, 360-degree Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor, known as LTAMDS. This tactical ballistic missile live fire represents the latest in a series of test event successes, closely following the cruise missile live fire test and the recently completed contractor verification testing. All milestones validate the radar’s performance and progression through developmental testing.

For this test event, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Army, a tactical ballistic missile surrogate was launched, flying a threat-representative trajectory. The target was acquired and tracked by LTAMDS, its track data was passed to the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) for launch command, and LTAMDS guided a PAC-3, Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI), missile to intercept.

“With each test, we’re putting the radar up against realistic threats that our forces could face on the battlefield. And with each success, we see capability improvement for this transformational radar,” said U.S. Army COL Jason Tate, STARE Project Manager for PEO Missiles and Space. “From the start, the goal was to design a next-generation radar capable of outpacing the full range of current and future threats – and we will achieve that goal with LTAMDS.”

Six LTAMDS radars are currently progressing through integration and test activities simultaneously at multiple government and Raytheon test sites. Formal testing will continue in 2024.

LTAMDS is the next generation air and missile defense radar for the U.S. Army. A 360-degree, Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, powered by Raytheon-manufactured Gallium Nitride, LTAMDS provides dramatically more performance against the range of threats, from manned and unmanned aircraft to cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and hypersonics. (Source: PR Newswire)

 

13 Dec 23. Cuashub.com said today that USAF seeks Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) defense against UAS. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RI) is actively engaged in market research to gather insights from the industry regarding the current research and development (R&D) landscape of Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) solutions. The focus is on exploring available technologies aimed at countering various Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). These EMP solutions may be ground-based or aerial, offering effective mitigation capabilities against Department of Defense (DoD) UAS groups 1, 2, and smaller group 3 aircraft.

Any EMP solutions hosted on air vehicles will have to be determined to be air-worthy by the Government. DoD must comply with the following general restrictions on UAS:

  • The air vehicle must be based on or derived from U.S. components and electronics
  • The air vehicle must have sufficient flight hours and reliability data

Original Published Date: December 7, 2023, at 3:12 p.m. EST

Original Response Date: January 5, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. EST

For additional information on this Request for Information (RFI), please visit- Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Defense Against Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) on sam.gov

https://cuashub.com/content/usaf-seeks-electromagnetic-pulse-emp-defense-against-uas/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

 

12 Dec 23. SiLC’s Eyeonic Vision Sensor Achieves Over 2Km Detection Range. SiLC Technologies, Inc. (SiLC), a developer of integrated single-chip FMCW LiDAR solutions, announced a significant breakthrough in machine vision technology. The company’s Eyeonic Vision Sensor now boasts a detection range exceeding 2 kilometers, setting a new industry standard.

This advancement not only doubles SiLC’s previous record but also surpasses the capabilities of any existing LiDAR system in the market. The extended range and precision of the Eyeonic Vision Sensor are pivotal in applications such as uncrewed autonomous system (UAS) detection and discrimination, a field where SiLC collaborates closely with High Point Aerotechnologies (HPA). Dr. Jeff Maas, CTO of High Point Aerotechnologies, commented,

“SiLC has made tremendous strides in advancing LiDAR technology for perimeter security and drone detection. Their investments in extending range, polarimetry, waveform control, and optical signal processing for the Eyeonic Vision Sensor endeavors to enhance target differentiation of ambiguous targets in clutter-limited environments. This LiDAR technology is a crucial complement to radar and visible/infrared camera sensors.” Dr. Mehdi Asghari, CEO of SiLC Technologies, added,

“Our latest achievement with the Eyeonic Vision Sensor is not just about setting new records; it’s about enabling practical, real-world applications that require the highest levels of precision and reliability. Our collaboration with HPA to incorporate LiDAR into their Counter-UAS systems is a testament to the versatility and impact of our technology.”

SiLC’s Eyeonic Vision Sensor enables the detection and early identification of unauthorized systems infringing on a secure perimeter. With vision detection over 2km distance, SiLC’s FMCW-based LiDAR technology features unmatched range and precision for applications such as uncrewed autonomous system (UAS) detection and discrimination:

SiLC’s Eyeonic Vision Sensor, featuring an advanced FMCW LiDAR System-on-Chip (SoC), is a cornerstone of the company’s innovative approach to machine vision. Its capabilities are crucial for applications requiring advanced warning and detailed environmental understanding, such as in perimeter security and drone detection. (Source: UAS VISION)

 

12 Dec 23. German anti-drone project costs increase fivefold – Spiegel. The planned procurement of an anti-drone system by Germany’s defence ministry will end up being five times more expensive than initially expected, Spiegel magazine reported on Tuesday. The price for the armaments project – designed to ramp up defences against missiles and other threats including drones – is currently around 1.3bn euros ($1.40bn), the magazine reported, referring to a price set by industry.

That is in stark contrast to original cost estimates from 2020, which put it at about 240.6m euros.

The so-called anti-drone system is to be purchased from a consortium formed in 2021, consisting of arms manufacturers Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE), Hensoldt (HAGG.DE) and Diehl.

The budget committee of the Bundestag lower house of parliament is due to discuss the issue on Wednesday, as it has to approve all arms purchases worth more than 25m euros.

“The ministry of defence should definitely submit a price review request to the responsible price monitoring body,” the German Federal Audit Office told the magazine.

No one at the defence ministry was immediately available to comment on the report. ($1 = 0.9262 euros)(Source: Reuters)

 

13 Dec 23. Thales boosts Royal Malaysian Air Force’s defence with GM400a radar. This radar, deployed in more than 20 nations, employs GaN technology and surveillance capabilities to detect various threats.

Thales clinched a recent deal to deliver the GM400a long-range radar, accompanied by a complete station infrastructure, to the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

Building on the success of its predecessor, the GM400, which saw the RMAF as its launch customer in 2009, Thales continues to be the partner for Malaysia’s air defence capabilities.

The GM400a boosts air surveillance and air defence for the RMAF. The radar’s mobility, enhanced processing power (around five times more), increased instrumented range (515km), and artificial intelligence capabilities improve situational awareness, offering more minutes for decision-making and action.

Denmark and the Netherlands recently solidified their strategic defence partnership by acquiring five Thales Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact radars (GM200 MM/C) to enhance air surveillance and defence capabilities.

This radar, deployed in more than 20 nations, employs GaN technology and surveillance capabilities to detect various threats, from fast jets and missiles to hovering helicopters and UAVs flying close to the ground. In a world facing evolving threats and conflicts, the GM400a plays a role in maintaining airspace sovereignty, ensuring an up-to-date, recognized air picture.

François-Xavier Boutes, country director, Malaysia, Thales, expressed his enthusiasm about the contract, stating, “We are thrilled that Thales’ GM400a radar is selected by the Royal Malaysian Air Force to be a strategic asset of Malaysia’s air defence and surveillance systems. This contract reinforces the defence cooperation between France and Malaysia, marking a new milestone in the ongoing success story that began in 2009.”

Malaysia is actively fortifying its national defence capabilities across land, air, and naval domains, marked by a surge in defence spending projected to reach $6.2bn (RM29.2bn) by 2028, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%, as per GlobalData’s intelligence on the Malaysia defence market.

As Thales delivers a complete radar station, including infrastructure essentials, this collaboration signifies a step forward in securing Malaysia’s airspace.

Thales has reported an order intake of €12.4bn, ($13.4bn) experiencing an 18% organic decrease, and sales of €12.9bn for the period ending September 30, 2023, reflecting a 7.5% organic decrease.  (Source: airforce-technology.com)

 

07 Dec 23. DiSCO stakeholder working group part of UK digital transformation of specific category operations. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is transforming the operational authorisation process for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in the Specific Category by standardising and simplifying the process, and providing a pathway to enable more complex RPAS operations in a scalable way.

According to the press release, the project comprises of four key workstreams:

A new standardised approach to risk assessment (UK SORA); A new risk assessment methodology for RPAS operations in the UK, based on the SORA process developed by JARUS as a global standard.

Pilot competence: A new scheme that will expand on the existing scheme to support a wider range of operational scenarios through the introduction of new certification levels.

Flightworthiness: Implementation of a new scheme utilising a network of third-party Recognised Assessment Entities (RAEs) to assess UAS flightworthiness on our behalf.

A new online application process:  A new platform and simplified application process for Specific Category operational authorisations.

The project will also work closely with several airspace projects to ensure UAS operations can be safely integrated in non-segregated airspace, including through the use of detect-and-avoid (DAA) systems and electronic conspicuity.

The project will deliver:

Better customer experience: A simplified, clearer and more efficient end-to-end process for applications and clearer guidance and information.

Reduced timescales for authorisations: A reduction in the time taken for CAA to assess and approve simple applications.

A standardised, consistent approach: SORA is a global, standardised approach that provides a transparent, consistent methodology for UAS risk assessment.

Proportionate measures: Safety measures that are employed will be proportional to the risk posed by the specific UAS operation.

Scalability: The changes will enable us to support increased demand in Specific Category operations.

Timescales

The CAA aims to complete the project by the end of 2025, with some objectives being met ahead of this time. Target dates include:

  • Q1 2024 – Launch of new application tool for PDRA-01 applications
  • Q2 2024 – Remote Pilot Competency policy live
  • Q3/4 2024 – RAE(F) policy live
  • Q3/4 2024 – UK SORA policy live
  • 2025 – SORA-based applications on new application tool

For now, UAS operators who wish to apply to fly in the Specific Category should continue to use the methodology and templates laid out in our CAP 722A publication until we provide further updates.

These dates represent the planned publication dates of policy material for each RAE scheme. It is anticipated that additional time will be required for potential RAE organisations to develop their applications and for the CAA to assess and approve RAEs under the new schemes.

Industry engagement

The CAA plans to run a number of consultations for SORA, remote pilot competency and flightworthiness as it develops the policies. The UK SORA will be based on JARUS version of SORA which has already had extensive consultation globally.

The CAA has also established a DiSCO Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) to facilitate engagement, consultation, and collaboration between the CAA and industry throughout the course of the project. For more information visit: www.caa.co.uk (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

 

07 Dec 23. UK deploys geospatial and drone technology from Esri to respond to severe events. Lincolnshire Resilience Forum (LRF) has gone live with new geospatial and drone technology from Esri UK to help it better prepare for emergencies across the county, including flooding, loss of critical infrastructure, pandemics or severe weather. Image recognition and drone software are among new applications helping to create real-time intelligence and an improved understanding of potential catastrophes.

Covering over 2,000 square miles and a population of more than 750,000, the LRF’s objective is to save and protect human life, relieve suffering and contain emergencies, limiting their escalation by ensuring comprehensive readiness. One of 38 Local Resilience Forums in England, the multi-agency partnership consists of over 30 category 1 and 2 responders, including local authorities, government agencies, emergency services, NHS and health bodies, utilities and transport providers.

New systems are being used to identify unknown caravans using drone and satellite imagery, to gain a more accurate understanding of where residents need to be evacuated from in the event of a major flood. Preparing for tidal inundation is a top priority for the LRF due to Lincolnshire having one of the largest single landmasses in the country at risk of such an event, along with Europe’s highest density of static caravans at more than 34,000.

Esri drone software is making aerial data capture faster and more accurate to create 3D digital twins of potential higher risk zones, supporting better understanding of access and evacuation points in relation to homes and other properties. The new deployment means the LRF can create digital twins more quickly, particularly for Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) locations, which involve dangerous substances such as gas and oil refineries.

Responding to large emergencies – particularly flooding but also major transport incidents or the loss of critical infrastructure – is a crucial role of public services. With the climate crisis comes more extreme weather events, which means community resilience is even more important.

Lincolnshire is a large county with no motorways and few dual carriageways so response and evacuation planning is critical. These new innovations are enabling emergency planners to model risks affecting the county to maximise response, improve communication and coordination and reduce, as practicably as possible, the impacts on the wider communities of the county. Creating the new caravan dataset in particular will dramatically improve intelligence.

At the core of the solution lies an Esri real-time mapping dashboard, providing a common operating picture, which went live in summer 2022 and was used extensively during Storm Babet in October 2023. Available online, on mobile devices and giant touch screens in the County Emergency Centre, it integrates data from over 30 agencies to allow rapid decision making. The system provides a faster and more advanced method of showing partners what the situation is before, during and after an emergency, compared to paper maps and spreadsheets.

Identifying static caravans is traditionally difficult due to licensing regulations, land ownership and registry data. Now with new deep learning tools available, the LRF is exploring and developing ways of employing drone and satellite imagery and GIS to identify previously unknown caravans. Tourism is the lifeblood of many coastal regions in the country but this can increase risks to coastal populations residing in caravans when holiday seasons lengthen into storm periods. In Lincolnshire, this traditionally runs from October to March.

Steve Eason-Harris, Emergency Planning Officer at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We’re aiming to solve a huge challenge and having the latest geospatial technology means the LRF can respond more effectively. Constant innovation is critical at the LRF, the objective being to use new systems to ensure we get the right resources to the right people at the right time.”

Other new GIS projects at LRF include developing a workforce application for deploying, tracking and communicating with volunteers in the field to support vulnerable people who need assistance the most. The system will update the control centre via a mobile app when volunteer tasks have been completed and alert the team with any requests for medical intervention or transport assistance. Data from the app will also feed directly into the mapping dashboard in the control centre. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

 

11 Dec 23. US Army training now includes anti-drone operations. The remains of a drone target shot down during Exercise Iron Warrior 23 at Puckapunyal on November 28, 2023. For the first time, Australian Army training now includes counter-drone tactics and engagement.

A drone target shoot was included on Exercise Iron Warrior, the culminating live-fire exercise on the Army’s mechanised regimental officers’ course. The serial was added in response to increased drone use in the modern battle space, according to School of Armour Tactics Wing instructor Warrant Officer Class Two Robert Kelly.

“We want to keep the training as current as possible, and if you look at the conflicts in Ukraine and overseas, drones are heavily influencing the battle space,” he said.

During the nine-week course, infantry and engineer officers are taught vehicle navigation, manoeuvre tactics and mounted firing on the M113AS4 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).

Mechanised Tactics instructor Corporal Ross Pickard said the biggest challenge for students on course was the speed at which everything was done.

“It’s a pretty big change of pace. Instead of being able to take a couple of minutes to make a decision, you’ve got maybe five to 10 seconds,” he said.

“Their planning cycle to make a quick decision, whether to commit to something or withdraw, is compressed. It draws from a lot of knowledge and skills they already have, but they have to be able to do it quicker.”

Exercise Iron Warrior also put participants through their paces in an ambush, a convoy escort and combat team assault, working alongside Australian light armoured vehicles (ASLAVs) and M1A1 Abrams. For junior officers the course is the final hurdle before being posted to their first unit as a platoon or troop commander. (Source: https://www.ex2.com.au/news/)

 

11 Dec 23. Cuashub.com said today that TEKEVER and CRFS Launch RF Sensor Drone Payload. TEKEVER, in collaboration with CRFS, has accomplished the initial phase of their system integration partnership, unveiling the inaugural sub-tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS) equipped with highly sensitive RF sensors as its payload.

TEKEVER is a global leader in unmanned systems technology. CRFS is a pioneer in building ultra-sensitive RF receivers for spectrum monitoring and geolocation.

The TEKEVER AR5 boasts an impressive endurance range of 20 hours, a payload capacity of 50 kg, and a cruise speed of 100 km/h. On the other hand, the RFeye Node is a durable and lightweight RF receiver featuring a 100MHz Instantaneous Bandwidth (IBW) and a frequency range of up to 40GHz.

By integrating an RFeye Node into the AR5, teams gain the capability to geolocate ground-based targets beyond the horizon, significantly enhancing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The AR5, designed for easy deployment and capable of taking off from short, unpaved airstrips, enables wide-area surveillance.

When combined with ruggedized RF sensors optimized for Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) considerations and featuring an IP67 form factor, the UAS delivers unparalleled spectrum monitoring, detection, signal capture, and geolocation through Time-Difference of Arrival (TDoA) capabilities.

The TEKEVER and CRFS partnership provides end-users with a versatile asset capable of covering extensive land or sea areas, opening up numerous potential applications such as maritime surveillance, search and rescue, border monitoring, military ISR, and regulatory spectrum monitoring. Operating at elevated altitudes, the drone’s increased signal collection radius results in remarkable operational range gains, enabling innovative concepts of operation.

To enhance capabilities, integrating the UAS with pre-existing ground-based units enables users to establish a flexible multidomain network of receivers, significantly improving passive ISR coverage over vast areas. This proves particularly crucial in active combat zones, where elevated altitude enables the detection of signals at extended distances, reaching beyond the frontline.

Dr Pio Szyjanowicz, COO of CRFS, said: “To make this happen, our engineering teams have combined their ingenuity and agility to overcome the technical challenges that are inevitable when integrating high-performance electronics systems on an airframe. One of the most significant was that UAS have a significant number of transmitters onboard, that have the potential to interfere with the highly sensitive RFeye receiver payload. Achieving the optimal solution in terms of antenna position and RF filtering is just one example of the excellent teamwork between TEKEVER and CRFS.”

Tiago Nunes, Product Director at TEKEVER, said: “The groundbreaking partnership between TEKEVER and CRFS is a testament to the power of collaboration. It’s a game-changer, offering end-users an incredibly versatile asset that can cover vast land and sea areas. The possibilities are limitless, from maritime surveillance, search and rescue, border monitoring, to military ISR, and even regulatory spectrum monitoring. This partnership showcases the remarkable synergy between the two companies, exemplifying their dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation. It is a perfect union of expertise and technology, resulting in a solution that exceeds all expectations.”  (Press Release)

About TEKEVER

TEKEVER leads the unmanned systems technology and services market, developing next-generation satellite systems and helping customers transform their business digitally. We’re not just reacting to changes in our world. We’re relentlessly striving to create it and providing our customers a constant edge, helping them deliver their mission.

About CRFS

CRFS is an RF technology specialist for defense, national security agencies, and systems integration partners. We provide advanced capabilities for real-time spectrum monitoring, situational awareness, and electronic warfare support to help our customers understand and exploit the electromagnetic environment.

https://cuashub.com/content/tekever-and-crfs-launch-rf-sensor-drone-payload/?_hsmi=285893717&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9-cxO1XDrczGJoDm17InFOfMrUs7Gsp7hEX9uslTTSxRmasJZoO_Po34W_G6FcPjikz_Oq_Y35m7CtnrnA-RhrGeRNks0WSLHQQ46PI05GEpf9UdA#utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_content=285893717&utm_source=hs_email (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

 

11 Dec 23. Indian Air Force installs advanced counter-UAS systems for air base protection. According to information published by the Indian Defence Research Wing website, the Indian Air Force has installed advanced counter-drone systems to provide 360° protection for airbases in India. Featuring both soft- and hard-kill capabilities, the systems can jam, spoof and disrupt drone communications and navigation signals, and/or deploy laser and high-powered microwave weapons to disable them remotely, according to Air Commodore Shekhar Yadav, Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station Pune. Although precise details have not yet been published, this appears initially to be a follow-on contract to that won by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) – with support from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) – to supply counter-drone systems to the Indian Navy. If so, the award reflects two imperatives currently governing much of Indian government procurement: plugging long-standing capability gaps; and fostering indigenous development and manufacture of advanced systems. At the time of announcing the contract for the Naval Anti-Drone System (NADS) in August 2021, government officials indicated that both the Indian Air Force and the Army would be signing similar contracts. Developed by DRDO and manufactured by BEL, NADS is the first indigenously-produced advanced ant-drone systems for naval service in India. According to official sources, the system has already been successfully deployed in a protective capacity for several government and public events. For more information: https://idrw.org (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

 

11 Dec 23. Cuashub.com said today that SiLC’s Eyeonic Vision Sensor LiDAR Achieves over 2km Range. SiLC, a pioneer in advancing integrated single-chip Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LiDAR solutions has announced a significant breakthrough in machine vision technology. The company’s Eyeonic Vision Sensor now achieves a detection range exceeding 2 kilometers, establishing a new benchmark in the industry. This milestone not only represents a doubling of SiLC’s previous record but also surpasses the capabilities of any existing LiDAR system. The extended range and precision of the Eyeonic Vision Sensor play a crucial role in applications such as uncrewed autonomous system (UAS) detection and discrimination, an area where SiLC closely collaborates with High Point Aerotechnologies (HPA).

Dr. Jeff Maas, CTO of High Point Aerotechnologies, commented, “SiLC has made tremendous strides in advancing LiDAR technology for perimeter security and drone detection. Their investments in extending range, polarimetry, waveform control, and optical signal processing for the Eyeonic Vision Sensor endeavors to enhance target differentiation of ambiguous targets in clutter-limited environments. This LiDAR technology is a crucial complement to radar and visible/infrared camera sensors.”

Dr. Mehdi Asghari, CEO of SiLC Technologies, added, “Our latest achievement with the Eyeonic Vision Sensor is not just about setting new records; it’s about enabling practical, real-world applications that require the highest levels of precision and reliability. Our collaboration with HPA to incorporate LiDAR into their Counter-UAS systems is a testament to the versatility and impact of our technology.”

The Eyeonic Vision Sensor from SiLC, equipped with an advanced FMCW LiDAR System-on-Chip (SoC), stands as a key element in the company’s innovative strategy for machine vision. Its functionalities are pivotal in applications that demand advanced warning and comprehensive environmental understanding, particularly in perimeter security and drone detection areas.

In the upcoming CES 2024 event, SiLC will showcase the remarkable range and precision capabilities of the Eyeonic Vision Sensor from January 9-12 in Las Vegas. For additional information or to arrange an appointment, please reach out to SiLC at .

About High Point Aerotechnologies

High Point Aerotechnologies is a global leader in counter-uncrewed autonomous systems (CUxS / CUAS) solution development across air, land, and maritime domains. Its innovative physical solutions and DefenseOS open architecture software environment enable operations at machine speed to detect, identify, track, and defeat UAS and other conventional and autonomous threats. High Point offers an array of integrated, interoperable solutions to provide fixed, mobile, and distributed C-UAS capabilities for civilian, military, and critical infrastructure clients. Formed through the merger of Black Sage Technologies and Liteye Systems, High Point has active C-UAS solution deployments in more than 15 countries worldwide. Learn more at www.highpointaerotech.com.

About SiLC Technologies

On a mission to enable machines to see like humans, SiLC Technologies is bringing forth its deep expertise in silicon photonics to advance market deployment of FMCW LiDAR solutions. The company’s breakthrough 4D+ Eyeonic Chip integrates all photonics functions needed to enable a coherent vision sensor, offering a tiny footprint while addressing the need for low cost and low power. SiLC’s innovations target robotics, autonomous vehicles, biometrics, security, industrial automation, and other leading markets.

SiLC was founded in 2018 by silicon photonics industry veterans with decades of commercial product development and manufacturing experience. SiLC’s 4D LiDAR chip has been recognized by Frost & Sullivan as ideally positioned to disrupt the global LiDAR market, and the company has been named a Cool Vendor in Silicon Photonics by Gartner. Investors in SiLC include Dell Technology Capital, Sony Innovation Fund by IGV, FLUXUNIT – ams OSRAM Ventures, UMC Capital, Alter Ventures, and Epson.

https://cuashub.com/content/silcs-eyeonic-vision-sensor-lidar-achieves-over-2km-range/?_hsmi=285893717&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8GV8dYo_jTXgn4mrhH8RxcvcrFc7fgNcuq-ul6GmSPexx-J-8qNXvwaVaYcDNqsoGypP5d4x-E8BCPWTVRBgxauMj5n59DJngVX8SU20U0m2gFL3Q#utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_content=285893717&utm_source=hs_email(Source: https://cuashub.com/)

 

08 Dec 23. Cuashub.com said today that Weaponized Drone Use Indications & Warning in Africa. Radical Islamist Weaponized Drone Use I&W (Indications & Warning) in Africa: A Terrorism Research Note is a Small Wars Journal report by John P. Sullivan and Keaton O.K. Bunker.

The global proliferation of drones has significantly transformed military strategies, intelligence operations, and logistical processes. Beyond conventional military applications, terrorist groups are swiftly integrating drone technology for purposes such as intelligence gathering, propaganda dissemination, and targeted attacks. The impact of weaponized drones has been evident in various conflicts worldwide, including the Russo-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East.

Now, this phenomenon extends into Africa, a region already marked by numerous struggles between governments and violent nonstate actors. As radical Islamist terrorist organizations increasingly utilize drones on the continent, it becomes crucial to assess their evolving tactics since 2018 and anticipate potential changes from an indications and warning (I&W) perspective.

Publication Date– December 2023

Radical Islamist Weaponized Drone Use I&W (Indications & Warning) in Africa: A Terrorism Research Note contains the following major sections:

  • Key Information
  • Analysis
  • Potentials for Terrorist Group Capacity
  • Conclusion

This summary is posted with the authors’ permission.

C-UAS Hub does not own this content and provides a link for users at the bottom of the page to access it in its original location. This allows the author(s) to track important article metrics related to their work. All credit goes to its rightful owner.

Authors John P. Sullivan and Keaton O.K. Bunker

https://cuashub.com/content/weaponized-drone-use-indications-warning-in-africa/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

 

08 Dec 23. Cuashub.com said today that Stadia Protection and Mitigation from Drone Incursion and Threats. Stadia Protection and Mitigation from Drone Incursion and Threats is a guideline that is the result of a collective effort of a select group of experts and organizations. The INTERPOL Project Stadia and INTERPOL Innovation Centre express gratitude to Brooke Tapsall, Gokul Srinivasan, Matt Service, and their team of Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) experts for their invaluable contributions and support in the creation of this document.

This document provides guidelines for testing and evaluating Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Capabilities.

These guidelines are designed for INTERPOL member countries, serving as a resource to support ongoing preparatory work in countering Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS). They cater to two key audiences: security practitioners responsible for shaping concepts of operations, operational strategies, and plans, and first responders and police officers tasked with implementing, training, and responding effectively to incidents in stadia or events utilizing C-UAS technologies.

The objective is to outline the minimum requirements for law enforcement organizations to prepare, test, and safeguard assets, events, or public spaces from malicious threats. The document identifies preparatory requirements, develops operational procedures, and creates an adversarial testing and evaluation framework to assess defense effectiveness and response to threat capabilities. Additionally, it highlights capacity-building aspects, outlining potential training areas. The insights and general guidelines provided are intended as a reference framework for planning and execution at both operational and tactical levels.

Stadia Protection and Mitigation from Drone Incursion and Threats contains the following major sections:

  • Stadia Overview and Threat Summary
  • Stadia Protection Phases
  • Protection Phase 1: Operational Procedure Development
  • Operational Procedures and Response Plans
  • Emergency, Stakeholder and Communication Plans
  • Public Information: Deterrent Considerations
  • Protection Phase 1: Recommendations
  • Protection Phase 2: C-UAS Technology
  • Protection Phase 2: Recommendations
  • Protection Phase 3: Red Teaming Operations Adversarial Testing
  • Red Teaming Operation Planning Stages
  • Protection Phase 3: Recommendations
  • Protection Phase 4: Training
  • Protection Phase 4: Recommendations

There are no noted document distribution restrictions.

Authors- The INTERPOL Project Stadia and INTERPOL Innovation Centre express gratitude to Brooke Tapsall, Gokul Srinivasan, Matt Service, and their team of Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) experts

Stadia Protection and Mitigation from Drone Incursion and Threats

(Source: https://cuashub.com/)

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Echodyne is a U.S. designer and manufacturer of advanced commercial radar solutions for defense and national security applications. The company’s proprietary metamaterials electronically scanned array (MESA®) architecture, a rare breakthrough in advanced radar engineering, leverages a physics-design approach to adapt conventional materials and deliver unexpected and beneficial behavior. The result is a solid-state, low-SWaP unit coupled with advanced software capabilities that delivers superior radar performance and unparalleled data integrity, radically improving system performance and enhancing safety for people and machines. With leading positions in counter-UAS, force protection, base security, and portable ISR, Defense Agencies and Suppliers rely on Echodyne radar for extraordinary accuracy and consistent, reliable operation. For more information, please visit: Echodyne.com.

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